Storm's Coming

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-Two squirrels run as a storm approaches. En route, they meet various woodland creatures, each of whom gives them advice similar to Fox's: "`Hide and shelter,'... `There's a storm coming and I'm going to my den to keep dry.'" The animals repeat this phrase, filling in the name of their own homes. Finally the squirrels take refuge in a hollow log until the rain passes, emerging with a store of nuts they found inside. Preschoolers will enjoy both the simplicity of this story and the challenge of naming various animals' dwellings. The combination of wide eyes and a slightly less-than-fluid look in some of the illustrations give the animals an appropriately alarmed look. The impressionistic land and skyscapes are the real strength of this book's artwork, highlighting brilliant greens and golds applied with a heavy brush. An appealing choice for preschool story hours.-Lynn Cockett, Nutley Public Library, NJ